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(IAAC) Obj: alpha Centauri, beta Centauri - Inst: naked eye, 10x50 handheld binoculars




Observer: Steve Coe
Your skills: Advanced (many years)
Date/time of observation: February 1998
Location of site: SS Dawn Princess, Caribbean Sea (Lat 15oN, Elev 0m)
Site classification: Exurban(!)
Sky darkness: 4 <1-10 Scale (10 best)>
Seeing: 5 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)>
Moon presence: None - moon not in sky
Instrument: naked eye, 10x50 handheld binoculars
Magnification: 1x, 10x
Filter(s): none
Object(s): alpha Centauri, beta Centauri, Centaur
Category: Multiple star. Asterism.
Class: G0, B1
Constellation: Cen
Data: mag 0.01/1.34, 0.61
Position: RA 14:40  Dec -61:00
Description:
Alpha and Beta Centauri follow Crux over the horizon.  They
are bright enough to be easy, even when only a few degrees above
the horizon.  In the binoculars, they are twinkling nicely and
in a rich field of view.  The stars of Centaurus and Lupus
are "above" Alpha and Beta.  I cannot make a centaur out of
them, but there is a 10 degree square field with over 30 bright
stars, a nice naked eye view.